1
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Cao Y. Lack of basic rationale in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its related concepts. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:104. [PMID: 39164745 PMCID: PMC11334496 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01282-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as a cellular process during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypes and behavior following the downregulation of epithelial features. EMT and its reversed process, the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), and the special form of EMT, the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), have been considered as mainstream concepts and general rules driving developmental and pathological processes, particularly cancer. However, discrepancies and disputes over EMT and EMT research have also grown over time. EMT is defined as transition between two cellular states, but it is unanimously agreed by EMT researchers that (1) neither the epithelial and mesenchymal states nor their regulatory networks have been clearly defined, (2) no EMT markers or factors can represent universally epithelial and mesenchymal states, and thus (3) EMT cannot be assessed on the basis of one or a few EMT markers. In contrast to definition and proposed roles of EMT, loss of epithelial feature does not cause mesenchymal phenotype, and EMT does not contribute to embryonic mesenchyme and neural crest formation, the key developmental events from which the EMT concept was derived. EMT and MET, represented by change in cell shapes or adhesiveness, or symbolized by EMT factors, are biased interpretation of the overall change in cellular property and regulatory networks during development and cancer progression. Moreover, EMT and MET are consequences rather than driving factors of developmental and pathological processes. The true meaning of EMT in some developmental and pathological processes, such as fibrosis, needs re-evaluation. EMT is believed to endow malignant features, such as migration, stemness, etc., to cancer cells. However, the core property of cancer (tumorigenic) cells is neural stemness, and the core EMT factors are components of the regulatory networks of neural stemness. Thus, EMT in cancer progression is misattribution of the roles of neural stemness to the unknown mesenchymal state. Similarly, neural crest EMT is misattribution of intrinsic property of neural crest cells to the unknown mesenchymal state. Lack of basic rationale in EMT and related concepts urges re-evaluation of their significance as general rules for understanding developmental and pathological processes, and re-evaluation of their significance in scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China.
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2
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Huber PB, Rao A, LaBonne C. BET activity plays an essential role in control of stem cell attributes in Xenopus. Development 2024; 151:dev202990. [PMID: 38884356 PMCID: PMC11266789 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Neural crest cells are a stem cell population unique to vertebrate embryos that retains broad multi-germ layer developmental potential through neurulation. Much remains to be learned about the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that control the potency of neural crest cells. Here, we examine the role that epigenetic readers of the BET (bromodomain and extra terminal) family play in controlling the potential of pluripotent blastula and neural crest cells. We find that inhibiting BET activity leads to loss of pluripotency at blastula stages and a loss of neural crest at neurula stages. We compare the effects of HDAC (an eraser of acetylation marks) and BET (a reader of acetylation) inhibition and find that they lead to similar cellular outcomes through distinct effects on the transcriptome. Interestingly, loss of BET activity in cells undergoing lineage restriction is coupled to increased expression of genes linked to pluripotency and prolongs the competence of initially pluripotent cells to transit to a neural progenitor state. Together these findings advance our understanding of the epigenetic control of pluripotency and the formation of the vertebrate neural crest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B. Huber
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Anjali Rao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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3
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Tamada A, Muguruma K. Recapitulation and investigation of human brain development with neural organoids. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:106-117. [PMID: 39007085 PMCID: PMC11240300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Organoids are 3D cultured tissues derived from stem cells that resemble the structure of living organs. Based on the accumulated knowledge of neural development, neural organoids that recapitulate neural tissue have been created by inducing self-organized neural differentiation of stem cells. Neural organoid techniques have been applied to human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate 3D human neural tissues in culture. Various methods have been developed to generate neural tissues of different regions. Currently, neural organoid technology has several significant limitations, which are being overcome in an attempt to create neural organoids that more faithfully recapitulate the living brain. The rapidly advancing neural organoid technology enables the use of living human neural tissue as research material and contributes to our understanding of the development, structure and function of the human nervous system, and is expected to be used to overcome neurological diseases and for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tamada
- Department of iPS Cell Applied Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
| | - Keiko Muguruma
- Department of iPS Cell Applied Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
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4
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Xu W, Liu J, Qi H, Si R, Zhao Z, Tao Z, Bai Y, Hu S, Sun X, Cong Y, Zhang H, Fan D, Xiao L, Wang Y, Li Y, Du Z. A lineage-resolved cartography of microRNA promoter activity in C. elegans empowers multidimensional developmental analysis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2783. [PMID: 38555276 PMCID: PMC10981687 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the expression of microRNAs in developing single cells is critical for functional discovery. Here, we construct scCAMERA (single-cell cartography of microRNA expression based on reporter assay), utilizing promoter-driven fluorescent reporters in conjunction with imaging and lineage tracing. The cartography delineates the transcriptional activity of 54 conserved microRNAs in lineage-resolved single cells throughout C. elegans embryogenesis. The combinatorial expression of microRNAs partitions cells into fine clusters reflecting their function and anatomy. Notably, the expression of individual microRNAs exhibits high cell specificity and divergence among family members. Guided by cellular expression patterns, we identify developmental functions of specific microRNAs, including miR-1 in pharynx development and physiology, miR-232 in excretory canal morphogenesis by repressing NHR-25/NR5A, and a functional synergy between miR-232 and miR-234 in canal development, demonstrating the broad utility of scCAMERA. Furthermore, integrative analysis reveals that tissue-specific fate determinants activate microRNAs to repress protein production from leaky transcripts associated with alternative, especially neuronal, fates, thereby enhancing the fidelity of developmental fate differentiation. Collectively, our study offers rich opportunities for multidimensional expression-informed analysis of microRNA biology in metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruolin Si
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiju Tao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchuan Bai
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shipeng Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haoye Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Duchangjiang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Long Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbin Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhuo Du
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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5
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Chen Z, Zhao G. First-in-human transplantation of autologous induced neural stem cell-derived dopaminergic precursors to treat Parkinson's disease. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:2700-2703. [PMID: 37919161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (Ministry of Education), Beijing 100053, China; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, China; Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Guoguang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China; Clinical Research Center for Epilepsy Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China; Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Beijing 100053, China.
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6
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Yammine SZ, Burns I, Gosio J, Peluso A, Merritt DM, Innes B, Coles BLK, Yan WR, Bader GD, Morshead CM, van der Kooy D. Fate Specification of GFAP-Negative Primitive Neural Stem Cells and Their Progeny at Clonal Resolution. Stem Cells Dev 2023; 32:606-621. [PMID: 37551982 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2023.0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The mature brain contains an incredible number and diversity of cells that are produced and maintained by heterogeneous pools of neural stem cells (NSCs). Two distinct types of NSCs exist in the developing and adult mouse brain: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)-negative primitive (p)NSCs and downstream GFAP-positive definitive (d)NSCs. To better understand the embryonic functions of NSCs, we performed clonal lineage tracing within neurospheres grown from either pNSCs or dNSCs to enrich for their most immediate downstream neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These clonal progenitor lineage tracing data allowed us to construct a hierarchy of progenitor subtypes downstream of pNSCs and dNSCs that were then validated using single-cell transcriptomics. Further, we identify Nexn as required for neuronal specification from neuron/astrocyte progenitor cells downstream of rare pNSCs. Combined, these data provide single-cell resolution of NPC lineages downstream of rare pNSCs that likely would be missed from population-level analyses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Z Yammine
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ian Burns
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jessica Gosio
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrew Peluso
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daniel M Merritt
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Brendan Innes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Brenda L K Coles
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wen Rui Yan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary D Bader
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cindi M Morshead
- The Donnelly Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Derek van der Kooy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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7
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Emig AA, Williams MLK. Gastrulation morphogenesis in synthetic systems. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:3-13. [PMID: 35817656 PMCID: PMC9825685 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in pluripotent stem cell culture allow researchers to generate not only most embryonic cell types, but also morphologies of many embryonic structures, entirely in vitro. This recreation of embryonic form from naïve cells, known as synthetic morphogenesis, has important implications for both developmental biology and regenerative medicine. However, the capacity of stem cell-based models to recapitulate the morphogenetic cell behaviors that shape natural embryos remains unclear. In this review, we explore several examples of synthetic morphogenesis, with a focus on models of gastrulation and surrounding stages. By varying cell types, source species, and culture conditions, researchers have recreated aspects of primitive streak formation, emergence and elongation of the primary embryonic axis, neural tube closure, and more. Here, we describe cell behaviors within in vitro/ex vivo systems that mimic in vivo morphogenesis and highlight opportunities for more complete models of early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa A Emig
- Center for Precision Environmental Health & Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | - Margot L K Williams
- Center for Precision Environmental Health & Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, USA.
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8
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Sullivan AE. Epigenetic Control of Cell Potency and Fate Determination during Mammalian Gastrulation. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1143. [PMID: 37372324 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells have a unique and characteristic epigenetic profile, which is critical for differentiation to all embryonic germ lineages. When stem cells exit the pluripotent state and commit to lineage-specific identities during the process of gastrulation in early embryogenesis, extensive epigenetic remodelling mediates both the switch in cellular programme and the loss of potential to adopt alternative lineage programmes. However, it remains to be understood how the stem cell epigenetic profile encodes pluripotency, or how dynamic epigenetic regulation helps to direct cell fate specification. Recent advances in stem cell culture techniques, cellular reprogramming, and single-cell technologies that can quantitatively profile epigenetic marks have led to significant insights into these questions, which are important for understanding both embryonic development and cell fate engineering. This review provides an overview of key concepts and highlights exciting new advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne E Sullivan
- Quantitative Stem Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
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9
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Cao Y. Neural induction drives body axis formation during embryogenesis, but a neural induction-like process drives tumorigenesis in postnatal animals. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1092667. [PMID: 37228646 PMCID: PMC10203556 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1092667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterization of cancer cells and neural stem cells indicates that tumorigenicity and pluripotency are coupled cell properties determined by neural stemness, and tumorigenesis represents a process of progressive loss of original cell identity and gain of neural stemness. This reminds of a most fundamental process required for the development of the nervous system and body axis during embryogenesis, i.e., embryonic neural induction. Neural induction is that, in response to extracellular signals that are secreted by the Spemann-Mangold organizer in amphibians or the node in mammals and inhibit epidermal fate in ectoderm, the ectodermal cells lose their epidermal fate and assume the neural default fate and consequently, turn into neuroectodermal cells. They further differentiate into the nervous system and also some non-neural cells via interaction with adjacent tissues. Failure in neural induction leads to failure of embryogenesis, and ectopic neural induction due to ectopic organizer or node activity or activation of embryonic neural genes causes a formation of secondary body axis or a conjoined twin. During tumorigenesis, cells progressively lose their original cell identity and gain of neural stemness, and consequently, gain of tumorigenicity and pluripotency, due to various intra-/extracellular insults in cells of a postnatal animal. Tumorigenic cells can be induced to differentiation into normal cells and integrate into normal embryonic development within an embryo. However, they form tumors and cannot integrate into animal tissues/organs in a postnatal animal because of lack of embryonic inducing signals. Combination of studies of developmental and cancer biology indicates that neural induction drives embryogenesis in gastrulating embryos but a similar process drives tumorigenesis in a postnatal animal. Tumorigenicity is by nature the manifestation of aberrant occurrence of pluripotent state in a postnatal animal. Pluripotency and tumorigenicity are both but different manifestations of neural stemness in pre- and postnatal stages of animal life, respectively. Based on these findings, I discuss about some confusion in cancer research, propose to distinguish the causality and associations and discriminate causal and supporting factors involved in tumorigenesis, and suggest revisiting the focus of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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10
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Byers C, Spruce C, Fortin HJ, Hartig EI, Czechanski A, Munger SC, Reinholdt LG, Skelly DA, Baker CL. Genetic control of the pluripotency epigenome determines differentiation bias in mouse embryonic stem cells. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109445. [PMID: 34931323 PMCID: PMC8762565 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically diverse pluripotent stem cells display varied, heritable responses to differentiation cues. Here, we harnessed these disparities through derivation of mouse embryonic stem cells from the BXD genetic reference panel, along with C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) parental strains, to identify loci regulating cell state transitions. Upon transition to formative pluripotency, B6 stem cells quickly dissolved naïve networks adopting gene expression modules indicative of neuroectoderm lineages, whereas D2 retained aspects of naïve pluripotency. Spontaneous formation of embryoid bodies identified divergent differentiation where B6 showed a propensity toward neuroectoderm and D2 toward definitive endoderm. Genetic mapping identified major trans-acting loci co-regulating chromatin accessibility and gene expression in both naïve and formative pluripotency. These loci distally modulated occupancy of pluripotency factors at hundreds of regulatory elements. One trans-acting locus on Chr 12 primarily impacted chromatin accessibility in embryonic stem cells, while in epiblast-like cells, the same locus subsequently influenced expression of genes enriched for neurogenesis, suggesting early chromatin priming. These results demonstrate genetically determined biases in lineage commitment and identify major regulators of the pluripotency epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Byers
- The Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMEUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTufts UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Haley J Fortin
- The Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMEUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTufts UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | - Ellen I Hartig
- The Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMEUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTufts UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Steven C Munger
- The Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMEUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTufts UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | | | | | - Christopher L Baker
- The Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMEUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTufts UniversityBostonMAUSA
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11
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Nerves in gastrointestinal cancer: from mechanism to modulations. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:768-784. [PMID: 36056202 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00669-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of gastrointestinal health is challenging as it requires balancing multifaceted processes within the highly complex and dynamic ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract. Disturbances within this vibrant environment can have detrimental consequences, including the onset of gastrointestinal cancers. Globally, gastrointestinal cancers account for ~19% of all cancer cases and ~22.5% of all cancer-related deaths. Developing new ways to more readily detect and more efficiently target these malignancies are urgently needed. Whereas members of the tumour microenvironment, such as immune cells and fibroblasts, have already been in the spotlight as key players of cancer initiation and progression, the importance of the nervous system in gastrointestinal cancers has only been highlighted in the past few years. Although extrinsic innervations modulate gastrointestinal cancers, cells and signals from the gut's intrinsic innervation also have the ability to do so. Here, we shed light on this thriving field and discuss neural influences during gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. We focus on the interactions between neurons and components of the gastrointestinal tract and tumour microenvironment, on the neural signalling pathways involved, and how these factors affect the cancer hallmarks, and discuss the neural signatures in gastrointestinal cancers. Finally, we highlight neural-related therapies that have potential for the management of gastrointestinal cancers.
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12
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Johnson K, Freedman S, Braun R, LaBonne C. Quantitative analysis of transcriptome dynamics provides novel insights into developmental state transitions. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:723. [PMID: 36273135 PMCID: PMC9588240 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During embryogenesis, the developmental potential of initially pluripotent cells becomes progressively restricted as they transit to lineage restricted states. The pluripotent cells of Xenopus blastula-stage embryos are an ideal system in which to study cell state transitions during developmental decision-making, as gene expression dynamics can be followed at high temporal resolution. Results Here we use transcriptomics to interrogate the process by which pluripotent cells transit to four different lineage-restricted states: neural progenitors, epidermis, endoderm and ventral mesoderm, providing quantitative insights into the dynamics of Waddington’s landscape. Our findings provide novel insights into why the neural progenitor state is the default lineage state for pluripotent cells and uncover novel components of lineage-specific gene regulation. These data reveal an unexpected overlap in the transcriptional responses to BMP4/7 and Activin signaling and provide mechanistic insight into how the timing of signaling inputs such as BMP are temporally controlled to ensure correct lineage decisions. Conclusions Together these analyses provide quantitative insights into the logic and dynamics of developmental decision making in early embryos. They also provide valuable lineage-specific time series data following the acquisition of specific lineage states during development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Simon Freedman
- NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rosemary Braun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Northwestern Institute On Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. .,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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13
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Zhang M, Liu Y, Shi L, Fang L, Xu L, Cao Y. Neural stemness unifies cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102106. [PMID: 35671824 PMCID: PMC9254501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stemness is suggested to be the ground state of tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. However, the relationship between these cell properties is unclear. Here, by disrupting the neural regulatory network in neural stem and cancer cells and by serial transplantation of cancer cells, we show that tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential are coupled cell properties unified by neural stemness. We show that loss of neural stemness via inhibition of SETDB1, an oncoprotein with enriched expression in embryonic neural cells during vertebrate embryogenesis, led to neuronal differentiation with reduced tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential in neural stem and cancer cells, whereas enhancement of neural stemness by SETDB1 overexpression caused the opposite effects. SETDB1 maintains a regulatory network comprising proteins involved in developmental programs and basic cellular functional machineries, including epigenetic modifications (EZH2), ribosome biogenesis (RPS3), translation initiation (EIF4G), and spliceosome assembly (SF3B1); all of these proteins are enriched in embryonic neural cells and play active roles in cancers. In addition, SETDB1 represses the transcription of genes promoting differentiation and cell cycle and growth arrest. Serial transplantation of cancer cells showed that neural stemness, tumorigenicity, and pluripotent differentiation potential were simultaneously enhanced; these effects were accompanied by increased expression of proteins involved in developmental programs and basic machineries, including SETDB1 and the abovementioned proteins, as well as by increased alternative splicing events. These results indicate that basic machineries work together to define a highly proliferative state with pluripotent differentiation potential and also suggest that neural stemness unifies tumorigenicity and differentiation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Yang Liu
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Lei Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School.
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14
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Fagg WS, Liu N, Braunschweig U, Pereira de Castro K, Chen X, Ditmars F, Widen S, Donohue JP, Modis K, Russell W, Fair JH, Weirauch M, Blencowe B, Garcia-Blanco M. Definition of germ layer cell lineage alternative splicing programs reveals a critical role for Quaking in specifying cardiac cell fate. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5313-5334. [PMID: 35544276 PMCID: PMC9122611 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is critical for development; however, its role in the specification of the three embryonic germ layers is poorly understood. By performing RNA-Seq on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derived definitive endoderm, cardiac mesoderm, and ectoderm cell lineages, we detect distinct alternative splicing programs associated with each lineage. The most prominent splicing program differences are observed between definitive endoderm and cardiac mesoderm. Integrative multi-omics analyses link each program with lineage-enriched RNA binding protein regulators, and further suggest a widespread role for Quaking (QKI) in the specification of cardiac mesoderm. Remarkably, knockout of QKI disrupts the cardiac mesoderm-associated alternative splicing program and formation of myocytes. These changes arise in part through reduced expression of BIN1 splice variants linked to cardiac development. Mechanistically, we find that QKI represses inclusion of exon 7 in BIN1 pre-mRNA via an exonic ACUAA motif, and this is concomitant with intron removal and cleavage from chromatin. Collectively, our results uncover alternative splicing programs associated with the three germ lineages and demonstrate an important role for QKI in the formation of cardiac mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Samuel Fagg
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Naiyou Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaoting Chen
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Frederick S Ditmars
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Steven G Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - John Paul Donohue
- Sinsheimer Labs, RNA Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Katalin Modis
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - William K Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Fair
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Benjamin J Blencowe
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, ONM5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mariano A Garcia-Blanco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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15
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Chen L, Zhang M, Fang L, Yang X, Cao N, Xu L, Shi L, Cao Y. Coordinated regulation of the ribosome and proteasome by PRMT1 in the maintenance of neural stemness in cancer cells and neural stem cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101275. [PMID: 34619150 PMCID: PMC8546425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that cancer cells resemble neural stem/progenitor cells in regulatory network, tumorigenicity, and differentiation potential, and that neural stemness might represent the ground or basal state of differentiation and tumorigenicity. The neural ground state is reflected in the upregulation and enrichment of basic cell machineries and developmental programs, such as cell cycle, ribosomes, proteasomes, and epigenetic factors, in cancers and in embryonic neural or neural stem cells. However, how these machineries are concertedly regulated is unclear. Here, we show that loss of neural stemness in cancer or neural stem cells via muscle-like differentiation or neuronal differentiation, respectively, caused downregulation of ribosome and proteasome components and major epigenetic factors, including PRMT1, EZH2, and LSD1. Furthermore, inhibition of PRMT1, an oncoprotein that is enriched in neural cells during embryogenesis, caused neuronal-like differentiation, downregulation of a similar set of proteins downregulated by differentiation, and alteration of subcellular distribution of ribosome and proteasome components. By contrast, PRMT1 overexpression led to an upregulation of these proteins. PRMT1 interacted with these components and protected them from degradation via recruitment of the deubiquitinase USP7, also known to promote cancer and enriched in embryonic neural cells, thereby maintaining a high level of epigenetic factors that maintain neural stemness, such as EZH2 and LSD1. Taken together, our data indicate that PRMT1 inhibition resulted in repression of cell tumorigenicity. We conclude that PRMT1 coordinates ribosome and proteasome activity to match the needs for high production and homeostasis of proteins that maintain stemness in cancer and neural stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Research Institute of Nanjing University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Research Institute of Nanjing University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- Research Institute of Nanjing University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Cao
- Research Institute of Nanjing University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Research Institute of Nanjing University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of the Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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Neural is Fundamental: Neural Stemness as the Ground State of Cell Tumorigenicity and Differentiation Potential. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:37-55. [PMID: 34714532 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumorigenic cells are similar to neural stem cells or embryonic neural cells in regulatory networks, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. By integrating the evidence from developmental biology, tumor biology and evolution, I will make a detailed discussion on the observations and propose that neural stemness underlies two coupled cell properties, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. Neural stemness property of tumorigenic cells can hopefully integrate different observations/concepts underlying tumorigenesis. Neural stem cells and tumorigenic cells share regulatory networks; both exhibit neural stemness, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential; both depend on expression or activation of ancestral genes; both rely primarily on aerobic glycolytic metabolism; both can differentiate into various cells/tissues that are derived from three germ layers, leading to tumor formation resembling severely disorganized or more degenerated process of embryonic tissue differentiation; both are enriched in long genes with more splice variants that provide more plastic scaffolds for cell differentiation, etc. Neural regulatory networks, which include higher levels of basic machineries of cell physiological functions and developmental programs, work concertedly to define a basic state with fast cell cycle and proliferation. This is predestined by the evolutionary advantage of neural state, the ground or initial state for multicellularity with adaptation to an ancient environment. Tumorigenesis might represent a process of restoration of neural ground state, thereby restoring a state with fast proliferation and pluripotent differentiation potential in somatic cells. Tumorigenesis and pluripotent differentiation potential might be better understood from understanding neural stemness, and cancer therapy should benefit more from targeting neural stemness.
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Heat shock response enhanced by cell culture treatment in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived proliferating neural stem cells. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249954. [PMID: 33852623 PMCID: PMC8046196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells have a regulatory mechanism known as heat shock (HS) response, which induces the expression of HS genes and proteins in response to heat and other cellular stresses. Exposure to moderate HS results in beneficial effects, such as thermotolerance and promotes survival, whereas excessive HS causes cell death. The effect of HS on cells depends on both exogenous factors, including the temperature and duration of heat application, and endogenous factors, such as the degree of cell differentiation. Neural stem cells (NSCs) can self-renew and differentiate into neurons and glial cells, but the changes in the HS response of symmetrically proliferating NSCs in culture are unclear. We evaluated the HS response of homogeneous proliferating NSCs derived from mouse embryonic stem cells during the proliferative phase and its effect on survival and cell death in vitro. The number of adherent cells and the expression ratios of HS protein (Hsp)40 and Hsp70 genes after exposure to HS for 20 min at temperatures above 43°C significantly increased with the extension of the culture period before exposure to HS. In contrast, caspase activity was significantly decreased by extension of the culture period before exposure to HS and suppressed the decrease in cell viability. These results suggest that the culture period before HS remarkably affects the HS response, influencing the expression of HS genes and cell survival of proliferating NSCs in culture.
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Chan WK, Fetit R, Griffiths R, Marshall H, Mason JO, Price DJ. Using organoids to study human brain development and evolution. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:608-622. [PMID: 33773072 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in methods for making cerebral organoids have opened a window of opportunity to directly study human brain development and disease, countering limitations inherent in non-human-based approaches. Whether freely patterned, guided into a region-specific fate or fused into assembloids, organoids have successfully recapitulated key features of in vivo neurodevelopment, allowing its examination from early to late stages. Although organoids have enormous potential, their effective use relies on understanding the extent of their limitations in accurately reproducing specific processes and components in the developing human brain. Here we review the potential of cerebral organoids to model and study human brain development and evolution and discuss the progress and current challenges in their use for reproducing specific human neurodevelopmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kit Chan
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rana Fetit
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosie Griffiths
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Helen Marshall
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John O Mason
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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19
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Fagg WS, Liu N, Patrikeev I, Saldarriaga OA, Motamedi M, Popov VL, Stevenson HL, Fair JH. Endoderm and Hepatic Progenitor Cells Engraft in the Quiescent Liver Concurrent with Intrinsically Activated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:963689721993780. [PMID: 33657866 PMCID: PMC7940740 DOI: 10.1177/0963689721993780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation to the liver is a promising therapeutic strategy for a variety of disorders. Hepatocyte transplantation has short-term efficacy but can be problematic due to portal hypertension, inflammation, and sinusoidal thrombosis. We have previously transplanted small mouse endoderm progenitor (EP) cells to successfully reverse a murine model of hemophilia B, and labeling these cells with iron nanoparticles renders them responsive to magnetic fields, which can be used to enhance engraftment. The mechanisms mediating progenitor cell migration from the sinusoidal space to the hepatocyte compartment are unknown. Here we find human EP and hepatic progenitor (HP) cells can be produced from human embryonic stem cells with high efficiency, and they also readily uptake iron nanoparticles. This provides a simple manner through which one can readily identify transplanted cells in vivo using electron microscopy, shortly after delivery. High resolution imaging shows progenitor cell morphologies consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediating invasion into the hepatic parenchyma. This occurs in as little as 3 h, which is considerably faster than observed when hepatocytes are transplanted. We confirmed activated EMT in transplanted cells in vitro, as well as in vivo 24 h after transplantation. We conclude that EMT naturally occurs concurrent with EP and HP cell engraftment, which may mediate the rate, safety, and efficacy of early cell engraftment in the undamaged quiescent liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Samuel Fagg
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Naiyou Liu
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Igor Patrikeev
- Department of Vice President for Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Omar A Saldarriaga
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Massoud Motamedi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Heather L Stevenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Fair
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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20
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Xu L, Zhang M, Shi L, Yang X, Chen L, Cao N, Lei A, Cao Y. Neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:21. [PMID: 33468253 PMCID: PMC7814647 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown. Results We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells. Conclusions We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Min Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ning Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Anhua Lei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ying Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
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21
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Bedont JL, Iascone DM, Sehgal A. The Lineage Before Time: Circadian and Nonclassical Clock Influences on Development. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2020; 36:469-509. [PMID: 33021821 PMCID: PMC10826104 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100818-125454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Diverse factors including metabolism, chromatin remodeling, and mitotic kinetics influence development at the cellular level. These factors are well known to interact with the circadian transcriptional-translational feedback loop (TTFL) after its emergence. What is only recently becoming clear, however, is how metabolism, mitosis, and epigenetics may become organized in a coordinated cyclical precursor signaling module in pluripotent cells prior to the onset of TTFL cycling. We propose that both the precursor module and the TTFL module constrain cellular identity when they are active during development, and that the emergence of these modules themselves is a key lineage marker. Here we review the component pathways underlying these ideas; how proliferation, specification, and differentiation decisions in both developmental and adult stem cell populations are or are not regulated by the classical TTFL; and emerging evidence that we propose implies a primordial clock that precedes the classical TTFL and influences early developmental decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lewis Bedont
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
| | - Daniel Maxim Iascone
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
| | - Amita Sehgal
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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22
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Zhao S, Duan K, Ai Z, Niu B, Chen Y, Kong R, Li T. Generation of cortical neurons through large-scale expanding neuroepithelial stem cell from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:431. [PMID: 33008480 PMCID: PMC7532602 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01939-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Considerable progress has been made in converting human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cortical neurons for disease modeling and regenerative medicine. However, these procedures are hard to provide sufficient cells for their applications. Using a combination of small-molecules and growth factors, we previously identified one condition which can rapidly induce hPSCs into neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs). Here, we developed a scalable suspension culture system, which largely yields high-quality NESC-spheres and subsequent cortical neurons. Methods The NESC medium was first optimized, and the suspension culture system was then enlarged from plates to stirred bioreactors for large-scale production of NESC-spheres by a stirring speed of 60 rpm. During the expansion, the quality of NESC-spheres was evaluated. The differentiation potential of NESC-spheres into cortical neurons was demonstrated by removing bFGF and two pathway inhibitors from the NESC medium. Cellular immunofluorescence staining, global transcriptome, and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis were used to identify the characteristics, identities, purities, or homogeneities of NESC-spheres or their differentiated cells, respectively. Results The optimized culture system is more conducive to large-scale suspension production of NESCs. These largely expanded NESC-spheres maintain unlimited self-renewal ability and NESC state by retaining their uniform sizes, high cell vitalities, and robust expansion abilities. After long-term expansion, NESC-spheres preserve high purity, homogeneity, and normal diploid karyotype. These expanded NESC-spheres on a large scale have strong differentiation potential and effectively produce mature cortical neurons. Conclusions We developed a serum-free, defined, and low-cost culture system for large-scale expansion of NESCs in stirred suspension bioreactors. The stable and controllable 3D system supports long-term expansion of high-quality and homogeneous NESC-spheres. These NESC-spheres can be used to efficiently give rise to cortical neurons for cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumei Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Kui Duan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zongyong Ai
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Baohua Niu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yanying Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ruize Kong
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tianqing Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. .,Xi'an ChaoYue Stem Cell Co, Ltd, Xi'an, China.
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24
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Kulkarni A, Lopez DH, Extavour CG. Shared Cell Biological Functions May Underlie Pleiotropy of Molecular Interactions in the Germ Lines and Nervous Systems of Animals. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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25
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Durso W, Martins M, Marchetti L, Cremisi F, Luin S, Cardarelli F. Lysosome Dynamic Properties during Neuronal Stem Cell Differentiation Studied by Spatiotemporal Fluctuation Spectroscopy and Organelle Tracking. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093397. [PMID: 32403391 PMCID: PMC7247004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated lysosome dynamics during neuronal stem cell (NSC) differentiation by two quantitative and complementary biophysical methods based on fluorescence: imaging-derived mean square displacement (iMSD) and single-particle tracking (SPT). The former extracts the average dynamics and size of the whole population of moving lysosomes directly from imaging, with no need to calculate single trajectories; the latter resolves the finest heterogeneities and dynamic features at the single-lysosome level, which are lost in the iMSD analysis. In brief, iMSD analysis reveals that, from a structural point of view, lysosomes decrement in size during NSC differentiation, from 1 μm average diameter in the embryonic cells to approximately 500 nm diameter in the fully differentiated cells. Concomitantly, iMSD analysis highlights modification of key dynamic parameters, such as the average local organelle diffusivity and anomalous coefficient, which may parallel cytoskeleton remodeling during the differentiation process. From average to local, SPT allows mapping heterogeneous dynamic responses of single lysosomes in different districts of the cells. For instance, a dramatic decrease of lysosomal transport in the soma is followed by a rapid increase of transport in the projections at specific time points during neuronal differentiation, an observation compatible with the hypothesis that lysosomal active mobilization shifts from the soma to the newborn projections. Our combined results provide new insight into the lysosome size and dynamics regulation throughout NSC differentiation, supporting new functions proposed for this organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Durso
- NEST Laboratory—Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Manuella Martins
- Bio@SNS Laboratory—Scuola Normale Superiore, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST (CNI@NEST), Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Federico Cremisi
- Bio@SNS Laboratory—Scuola Normale Superiore, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Stefano Luin
- NEST Laboratory—Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze, CNR, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- NEST Laboratory—Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (F.C.)
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Ahmad I, Teotia P, Erickson H, Xia X. Recapitulating developmental mechanisms for retinal regeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100824. [PMID: 31843569 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of specific retinal neurons in diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, there is no therapy to modify the disease-associated degenerative changes. With the advancement in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate the development of the vertebrate retina, the approach to treat blinding diseases through regenerative medicine appears a near possibility. Recapitulation of developmental mechanisms is critical for reproducibly generating cells in either 2D or 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells for retinal repair and disease modeling. It is the key for unlocking the neurogenic potential of Müller glia in the adult retina for therapeutic regeneration. Here, we examine the current status and potential of the regenerative medicine approach for the retina in the backdrop of developmental mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Pooja Teotia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Helen Erickson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
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27
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Alia C, Terrigno M, Busti I, Cremisi F, Caleo M. Pluripotent Stem Cells for Brain Repair: Protocols and Preclinical Applications in Cortical and Hippocampal Pathologies. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:684. [PMID: 31447623 PMCID: PMC6691396 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain injuries causing chronic sensory or motor deficit, such as stroke, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization; furthermore, they carry heavy social and economic burdens due to decreased quality of life and need of assistance. Given the limited effectiveness of rehabilitation, novel therapeutic strategies are required to enhance functional recovery. Since cell-based approaches have emerged as an intriguing and promising strategy to promote brain repair, many efforts have been made to study the functional integration of neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), or fetal neurons, after grafting into the damaged host tissue. PSCs hold great promises for their clinical applications, such as cellular replacement of damaged neural tissues with autologous neurons. They also offer the possibility to create in vitro models to assess the efficacy of drugs and therapies. Notwithstanding these potential applications, PSC-derived transplanted neurons have to match the precise sub-type, positional and functional identity of the lesioned neural tissue. Thus, the requirement of highly specific and efficient differentiation protocols of PSCs in neurons with appropriate neural identity constitutes the main challenge limiting the clinical use of stem cells in the near future. In this Review, we discuss the recent advances in the derivation of telencephalic (cortical and hippocampal) neurons from PSCs, assessing specificity and efficiency of the differentiation protocols, with particular emphasis on the genetic and molecular characterization of PSC-derived neurons. Second, we address the remaining challenges for cellular replacement therapies in cortical brain injuries, focusing on electrophysiological properties, functional integration and therapeutic effects of the transplanted neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Alia
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Terrigno
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Busti
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drugs and Child Health Area, School of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Cremisi
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.,Biophysics Institute (IBF), National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Caleo
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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28
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Shparberg RA, Glover HJ, Morris MB. Modeling Mammalian Commitment to the Neural Lineage Using Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Physiol 2019; 10:705. [PMID: 31354503 PMCID: PMC6637848 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early mammalian embryogenesis relies on a large range of cellular and molecular mechanisms to guide cell fate. In this highly complex interacting system, molecular circuitry tightly controls emergent properties, including cell differentiation, proliferation, morphology, migration, and communication. These molecular circuits include those responsible for the control of gene and protein expression, as well as metabolism and epigenetics. Due to the complexity of this circuitry and the relative inaccessibility of the mammalian embryo in utero, mammalian neural commitment remains one of the most challenging and poorly understood areas of developmental biology. In order to generate the nervous system, the embryo first produces two pluripotent populations, the inner cell mass and then the primitive ectoderm. The latter is the cellular substrate for gastrulation from which the three multipotent germ layers form. The germ layer definitive ectoderm, in turn, is the substrate for multipotent neurectoderm (neural plate and neural tube) formation, representing the first morphological signs of nervous system development. Subsequent patterning of the neural tube is then responsible for the formation of most of the central and peripheral nervous systems. While a large number of studies have assessed how a competent neurectoderm produces mature neural cells, less is known about the molecular signatures of definitive ectoderm and neurectoderm and the key molecular mechanisms driving their formation. Using pluripotent stem cells as a model, we will discuss the current understanding of how the pluripotent inner cell mass transitions to pluripotent primitive ectoderm and sequentially to the multipotent definitive ectoderm and neurectoderm. We will focus on the integration of cell signaling, gene activation, and epigenetic control that govern these developmental steps, and provide insight into the novel growth factor-like role that specific amino acids, such as L-proline, play in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael B. Morris
- Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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29
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McMahon R, Sibbritt T, Salehin N, Osteil P, Tam PPL. Mechanistic insights from the LHX1-driven molecular network in building the embryonic head. Dev Growth Differ 2019; 61:327-336. [PMID: 31111476 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Development of an embryo is driven by a series of molecular instructions that control the differentiation of tissue precursor cells and shape the tissues into major body parts. LIM homeobox 1 (LHX1) is a transcription factor that plays a major role in the development of the embryonic head of the mouse. Loss of LHX1 function disrupts the morphogenetic movement of head tissue precursors and impacts on the function of molecular factors in modulating the activity of the WNT signaling pathway. LHX1 acts with a transcription factor complex to regulate the transcription of target genes in multiple phases of development and in a range of embryonic tissues of the mouse and Xenopus. Determining the interacting factors and transcriptional targets of LHX1 will be key to unraveling the ensemble of factors involved in head development and building a head gene regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley McMahon
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tennille Sibbritt
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nazmus Salehin
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pierre Osteil
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Patrick P L Tam
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
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30
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Lei A, Chen L, Zhang M, Yang X, Xu L, Cao N, Zhang Z, Cao Y. EZH2 Regulates Protein Stability via Recruiting USP7 to Mediate Neuronal Gene Expression in Cancer Cells. Front Genet 2019; 10:422. [PMID: 31130994 PMCID: PMC6510286 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Misexpression of chromatin modification factors and changed epigenetic modifications play crucial roles for tumorigenesis. Our previous studies demonstrated that inhibition of epigenetic modification enzymes EZH2, LSD1, DNMTs, and HDACs caused post-mitotic neuron-like differentiation in different cancer cells. However, how they regulate neuronal differentiation in cancer cells was unknown. Here, we show that EZH2, LSD1, DNMT1, and HDAC1 form interactions themselves, meanwhile, they also interact with SMAD proteins and β-CATENIN in cancer cells. Chemical inhibition of these enzymes leads to reduced level of proteins except HDAC1. The change in protein level and/or enzymatic activities further result in changed chromatin modifications on neuronal gene promoters, and activation of neuronal genes. Inhibition of these enzymes in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) also caused neuronal differentiation, similar to cancer cells. Particularly, EZH2 interacts with and required for the stability of LSD1, HDAC1, DNMT1, β-CATENIN, or SMAD2/4, via recruitment of deubiquitinase USP7. Reduced EZH2 leads to enhanced ubiquitination and degradation of these proteins, and decreased binding of LSD1, HDAC1, and DNMT1 to neuronal gene promoters, and lessened Wnt and TGFβ target gene activation. Hence, EZH2 sustains a series of proteins that promote tumorigenesis, in addition to its original function of histone methylation. Considering together with other studies, we conclude that these chromatin modification factors function in the same way in cancer cells as in neural progenitor/stem cells. The similarity between cancer cells and neural progenitor/stem cells provides an insight into the essence and unified framework for cancer initiation and progression, and are suggestive for novel strategies of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anhua Lei
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liyang Xu
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Cao
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- China's Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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31
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Stem cell-based retina models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 140:33-50. [PMID: 29777757 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
From the early days of cell biological research, the eye-especially the retina-has evoked broad interest among scientists. The retina has since been thoroughly investigated and numerous models have been exploited to shed light on its development, morphology, and function. Apart from various animal models and human clinical and anatomical research, stem cell-based models of animal and human cells of origin have entered the field, especially during the last decade. Despite the observation that the retina of different species comprises endogenous stem cells, most stem cell-related research in the human retina is now based on pluripotent stem cell models. Herein, systems of two-dimensional (2D) cultures and co-cultures of distinctly differentiated retinal subtypes revealed a variety of cellular aspects but have in many aspects been replaced by three-dimensional (3D) structures-the so-called retinal organoids. These organoids not only contain all major retinal cell subtypes compared to the physiological situation, but also show a distinct layering in close proximity to the in vivo morphology. Nevertheless, all these models have inherent advantages and disadvantages, which are expounded and summarized in this review. Finally, we discuss current application aspects of stem cell-based retina models and the specific promises they hold for the future.
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32
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Khazaei M, Ahuja CS, Rodgers CE, Chan P, Fehlings MG. Generation of Definitive Neural Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Transplantation into Spinal Cord Injury. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1919:25-41. [PMID: 30656619 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9007-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we first describe two interchangeable protocols optimized in our lab for deriving definitive neuronal progenitor cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The resultant NPCs can then be propagated and differentiated to produce differing proportions of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes as required for in vitro cell culture studies or in vivo transplantation. Following these protocols, we explain the method for transplanting these cells into the rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher S Ahuja
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher E Rodgers
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Priscilla Chan
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Spinal Program, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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33
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Seto Y, Eiraku M. Human brain development and its in vitro recapitulation. Neurosci Res 2018; 138:33-42. [PMID: 30326251 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Humans have a large and gyrencephalic brain. The higher intellectual ability of humans is dependent on the proper development of the brain. Brain malformation is often associated with cognitive dysfunction. It is thus important to know how our brain grows during development. Several animal species have been used as models to understand the mechanisms of brain development, and have provided us with basic information in this regard. It has been revealed that mammalian brain development basically proceeds through a similar process by common mechanisms, including neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis. However, humans also display species-specific features in these processes. These differences seem to be important for building the proper human brain structure. Analysis of these human-specific features requires human brain samples, which are difficult to obtain due to both ethical and practical reasons. Nevertheless, brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells can be used as models to study human brain development and pathology because such organoids can partly recapitulate human fetal developmental processes. In this review, we will review some human-specific features during brain development and discuss brain organoid technology as a model system. We will especially focusing on neocortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Seto
- Laboratory of Developmental Systems, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Eiraku
- Laboratory of Developmental Systems, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.
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34
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Yoshida K, Muratani M, Araki H, Miura F, Suzuki T, Dohmae N, Katou Y, Shirahige K, Ito T, Ishii S. Mapping of histone-binding sites in histone replacement-completed spermatozoa. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3885. [PMID: 30250204 PMCID: PMC6155156 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06243-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of histones are replaced by protamines during spermatogenesis, but small amounts are retained in mammalian spermatozoa. Since nucleosomes in spermatozoa influence epigenetic inheritance, it is important to know how histones are distributed in the sperm genome. Conflicting data, which may result from different conditions used for micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion, have been reported: retention of nucleosomes at either gene promoter regions or within distal gene-poor regions. Here, we find that the swim-up sperm used in many studies contain about 10% population of sperm which have not yet completed the histone-to-protamine replacement. We develop a method to purify histone replacement-completed sperm (HRCS) and to completely solubilize histones from cross-linked HRCS without MNase digestion. Our results indicate that histones are retained at specific promoter regions in HRCS. This method allows the study of epigenetic status in mature sperm. While a majority of histones are replaced by protamines during spermatogenesis, a small amount is retained in mammalian spermatozoa. Here the authors develop a method to purify histones from replacement-completed sperm (HRCS), completely solubilize histones from cross-linked HRCS without MNase digestion, and map histone-binding sites in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Yoshida
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, CREST Research Project of JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency), RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan.
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Araki
- Department of Biochemistry, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumihito Miura
- Department of Biochemistry, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehiro Suzuki
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yuki Katou
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Shirahige
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Takashi Ito
- Department of Biochemistry, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Ishii
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, CREST Research Project of JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency), RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan. .,Department of Functional Genomics, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
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35
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Adams KV, Morshead CM. Neural stem cell heterogeneity in the mammalian forebrain. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 170:2-36. [PMID: 29902499 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The brain was long considered an organ that underwent very little change after development. It is now well established that the mammalian central nervous system contains neural stem cells that generate progeny that are capable of making new neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes throughout life. The field has advanced rapidly as it strives to understand the basic biology of these precursor cells, and explore their potential to promote brain repair. The purpose of this review is to present current knowledge about the diversity of neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo, and highlight distinctions between neural stem cell populations, throughout development, and within the niche. A comprehensive understanding of neural stem cell heterogeneity will provide insights into the cellular and molecular regulation of neural development and lifelong neurogenesis, and will guide the development of novel strategies to promote regeneration and neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey V Adams
- Institute of Medical Science, Terrence Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 3E2, Canada.
| | - Cindi M Morshead
- Institute of Medical Science, Terrence Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 3E2, Canada; Department of Surgery, Division of Anatomy, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Canada; Rehabilitation Science Institute, University of Toronto, Canada.
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36
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Andreopoulou E, Arampatzis A, Patsoni M, Kazanis I. Being a Neural Stem Cell: A Matter of Character But Defined by the Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1041:81-118. [PMID: 29204830 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-69194-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cells that build the nervous system, either this is a small network of ganglia or a complicated primate brain, are called neural stem and progenitor cells. Even though the very primitive and the very recent neural stem cells (NSCs) share common basic characteristics that are hard-wired within their character, such as the expression of transcription factors of the SoxB family, their capacity to give rise to extremely different neural tissues depends significantly on instructions from the microenvironment. In this chapter we explore the nature of the NSC microenvironment, looking through evolution, embryonic development, maturity and even disease. Experimental work undertaken over the last 20 years has revealed exciting insight into the NSC microcosmos. NSCs are very capable in producing their own extracellular matrix and in regulating their behaviour in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence indicates an important role for the vasculature, especially within the NSC niches of the postnatal brain; while novel results reveal direct links between the metabolic state of the organism and the function of NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Andreopoulou
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Asterios Arampatzis
- Wellcome Trust- MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Melina Patsoni
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Ilias Kazanis
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Wellcome Trust- MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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37
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Neural Stem Cells Derived from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Use in Models of CNS Injury. Results Probl Cell Differ 2018; 66:89-102. [PMID: 30209655 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93485-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are derived from differentiated cells by different reprogramming techniques, by introducing specific transcription factors responsible for pluripotency. Induced pluripotent stem cells can serve as an excellent source for differentiated neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPs). Several methods and protocols are utilized to create a robust number of NSCs/NPs without jeopardizing the safety issues required for in vivo applications. A variety of disease-specific iPS cells have been used to study nervous system diseases. In this chapter, we will focus on some of the derivation and differentiation approaches and the application of iPS-NPs in the treatment of spinal cord injury and stroke.
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38
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Cao Y. Tumorigenesis as a process of gradual loss of original cell identity and gain of properties of neural precursor/progenitor cells. Cell Biosci 2017; 7:61. [PMID: 29177029 PMCID: PMC5693707 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease without a unified explanation for its cause so far. Our recent work demonstrates that cancer cells share similar regulatory networks and characteristics with embryonic neural cells. Based on the study, I will address the relationship between tumor and neural cells in more details. I collected the evidence from various aspects of cancer development in many other studies, and integrated the information from studies on cancer cell properties, cell fate specification during embryonic development and evolution. Synthesis of the information strongly supports that cancer cells share much more similarities with neural progenitor/stem cells than with mesenchymal-type cells and that tumorigenesis represents a process of gradual loss of cell or lineage identity and gain of characteristics of neural cells. I also discuss cancer EMT, a concept having been under intense debate, and possibly the true meaning of EMT in cancer initiation and development. This synthesis provides fresh insights into a unified explanation for and a previously unrecognized nature of tumorigenesis, which might not be revealed by studies on individual molecular events. The review will also present some brief suggestions for cancer research based on the proposed model of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- Model Animal Research Center and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061 China
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39
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Briggs JA, Li VC, Lee S, Woolf CJ, Klein A, Kirschner MW. Mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate via multiple paths to the same state. eLife 2017; 6:26945. [PMID: 28990928 PMCID: PMC5648529 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In embryonic development, cells differentiate through stereotypical sequences of intermediate states to generate particular mature fates. By contrast, driving differentiation by ectopically expressing terminal transcription factors (direct programming) can generate similar fates by alternative routes. How differentiation in direct programming relates to embryonic differentiation is unclear. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to compare two motor neuron differentiation protocols: a standard protocol approximating the embryonic lineage, and a direct programming method. Both initially undergo similar early neural commitment. Later, the direct programming path diverges into a novel transitional state rather than following the expected embryonic spinal intermediates. The novel state in direct programming has specific and uncharacteristic gene expression. It forms a loop in gene expression space that converges separately onto the same final motor neuron state as the standard path. Despite their different developmental histories, motor neurons from both protocols structurally, functionally, and transcriptionally resemble motor neurons isolated from embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor C Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Seungkyu Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Allon Klein
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Marc W Kirschner
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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40
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Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been proposed as a promising cellular source for the treatment of diseases in nervous systems. NSCs can self-renew and generate major cell types of the mammalian central nervous system throughout adulthood. NSCs exist not only in the embryo, but also in the adult brain neurogenic region: the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle. Embryonic stem (ES) cells acquire NSC identity with a default mechanism. Under the regulations of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and fibroblast growth factors, the NSCs then become neural progenitors. Neurotrophic and differentiation factors that regulate gene expression for controlling neural cell fate and function determine the differentiation of neural progenitors in the developing mammalian brain. For clinical application of NSCs in neurodegenerative disorders and damaged neurons, there are several critical problems that remain to be resolved: 1) how to obtain enough NSCs from reliable sources for autologous transplantation; 2) how to regulate neural plasticity of different adult stem cells; 3) how to control differentiation of NSCs in the adult nervous system. In order to understand the mechanisms that control NSC differentiation and behavior, we review the ontogeny of NSCs and other stem cell plasticity of neuronal differentiation. The role of NSCs and their regulation by neurotrophic factors in CNS development are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chao Hsu
- Stem Cell Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Jhunan, Taiwan
| | - Don-Ching Lee
- Stem Cell Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Jhunan, Taiwan
| | - Ing-Ming Chiu
- Stem Cell Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Jhunan, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Institute of Medical Technology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Germ Granules Prevent Accumulation of Somatic Transcripts in the Adult Caenorhabditis elegans Germline. Genetics 2017; 206:163-178. [PMID: 28258184 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.198549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The germ cells of multicellular organisms protect their developmental potential through specialized mechanisms. A shared feature of germ cells from worms to humans is the presence of nonmembrane-bound, ribonucleoprotein organelles called germ granules. Depletion of germ granules in Caenorhabditis elegans (i.e., P granules) leads to sterility and, in some germlines, expression of the neuronal transgene unc-119::gfp and the muscle myosin MYO-3 Thus, P granules are hypothesized to maintain germ cell totipotency by preventing somatic development, although the mechanism by which P granules carry out this function is unknown. In this study, we performed transcriptome and single molecule RNA-FISH analyses of dissected P granule-depleted gonads at different developmental stages. Our results demonstrate that P granules are necessary for adult germ cells to downregulate spermatogenesis RNAs and to prevent the accumulation of numerous soma-specific RNAs. P granule-depleted gonads that express the unc-119::gfp transgene also express many other genes involved in neuronal development and concomitantly lose expression of germ cell fate markers. Finally, we show that removal of either of two critical P-granule components, PGL-1 or GLH-1, is sufficient to cause germ cells to express UNC-119::GFP and MYO-3 and to display RNA accumulation defects similar to those observed after depletion of P granules. Our data identify P granules as critical modulators of the germline transcriptome and guardians of germ cell fate.
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43
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Dormant Pluripotent Cells Emerge during Neural Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells in a FoxO3-Dependent Manner. Mol Cell Biol 2017; 37:MCB.00417-16. [PMID: 27956699 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00417-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One major concern over the clinical application of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived cells is the potentiation of latent tumorigenicity by residual undifferentiated cells. Despite the use of intensive methodological approaches to eliminate residual undifferentiated cells, the properties of these cells remain elusive. Here, we show that under a serum-free neural differentiation condition, residual undifferentiated cells markedly delay progression of their cell cycle without compromising their pluripotency. This dormant pluripotency was maintained during reculture of the cells under a serum-free condition, whereas upon serum stimulation, the cells exited the dormant state and restarted proliferation and differentiation into all three germ layers. Microarray analysis revealed a set of genes that is significantly upregulated in the dormant ESCs compared with their levels of regulation in proliferating ESCs. Among them, we identified the transcription factor Forkhead box O3 (FoxO3) to be an essential regulator of the maintenance of pluripotency in dormant ESCs. Our study demonstrates that the transition into the dormant state endows residual undifferentiated cells with FoxO3-dependent and leukemia inhibitory factor/serum-independent pluripotency.
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Khazaei M, Ahuja CS, Fehlings MG. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. Front Cell Dev Biol 2017; 4:152. [PMID: 28154814 PMCID: PMC5243807 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common cause of mortality and neurological morbidity. Although progress had been made in the last decades in medical, surgical, and rehabilitation treatments for SCI, the outcomes of these approaches are not yet ideal. The use of cell transplantation as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCI is very promising. Cell therapies for the treatment of SCI are limited by several translational road blocks, including ethical concerns in relation to cell sources. The use of iPSCs is particularly attractive, given that they provide an autologous cell source and avoid the ethical and moral considerations of other stem cell sources. In addition, different cell types, that are applicable to SCI, can be created from iPSCs. Common cell sources used for reprogramming are skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, CD34+ cells, cord blood cells and adipose stem cells. Different cell types have different genetic and epigenetic considerations that affect their reprogramming efficiencies. Furthermore, in SCI the iPSCs can be differentiated to neural precursor cells, neural crest cells, neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and even mesenchymal stromal cells. These can produce functional recovery by replacing lost cells and/or modulating the lesion microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher S Ahuja
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research InstituteToronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research InstituteToronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada; Spinal Program, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health NetworkToronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada
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45
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Adelaja AA. Human induced pluripotent stem cells generated neural cells behaving like brain and spinal cord cells: An insight into the involvement of retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog proteins. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2017; 11:21-27. [PMID: 28539859 PMCID: PMC5426416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The previous studies generated neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using different protocols. However, the nature of the temporal or regional specificity of NPCs derived using these protocols is not well defined. Therefore, this study aimed to generate age- and region-specific NPCs from hiPSCs, which mimic in vivo fetal brain (FNPC-B) or spinal cord (FNPC-SC) tissues, in the absence or presence of retinoic acid (RA) and sonic hedgehog (SHH). MATERIALS AND METHODS Ventral, caudal and posterior neural cells were generated from hiPSCs with morphogens (RA and SHH), or dorsal, rostral, and anterior neural cells by the withdrawal of these morphogens from the NPC-media. NPCs generated from hiPSCs were compared to FNPC-B or FNPC-SC using immunocytochemical staining assays and global microarray for the evaluations of general and region-specific neural cells markers of neural induction, differentiation, and maturation. Microarray profiling results were analyzed using quantitative unpaired t-test (P < 0.05). RESULTS Immunocytochemical analyzes showed that generated NPCs expressed general neural cells markers (PAX6 and MUSASHI-2). Furthermore, FNPC-B and anterior NPCs were characterized with marked expression of cortical neural cells marker (SOX1) when compared to FNPC-SC and posterior NPCs. Microarray profiling results showed the up-regulation of brain cells markers (EMX2 and PAX6) in FNPC-B and anterior NPCs. Similarly, spinal cord cells markers (COL5A2, HOXB5, HOXB7, HOXB8, HOXC4, and HOXD4) were up-regulated in FNPC-SC and posterior NPCs. CONCLUSION NPCs that mimic in vivo brain and spinal cord cells can be generated from hiPSCs in the absence or presence of RA and SHH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinlolu Abdulazeez Adelaja
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria,Address for correspondence: Akinlolu, Abdulazeez Adelaja, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Phone: 2348062765308. E-mail:
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Devineni A, Tohme S, Kody MT, Cowley RA, Harris BT. Stepping back to move forward: a current review of iPSCs in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF STEM CELLS 2016; 5:99-106. [PMID: 27853631 PMCID: PMC5107654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The successful generation of the first iPSCs about ten years ago has provided deeper insight into previously unknown disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities for many diseases. In particular, iPSCs are becoming an important tool in advancing modeling and therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer's disease. In this manuscript, we assess the research climate surrounding the application of iPSCs to familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease, including the generation and isolation of individualized neural stem cells, the introduction of neural stem cell transplants using iPSCs, and an estimation of the potential use of iPSCs as research models for Alzheimer's treatments and therapies. The clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease appears promising, but much of the recent experimentation has been conducted using animal models or embryonic stem cells. As induced pluripotent stem cell research advances, iPSCs will likely provide investigators with a more applicable tool to progress advances in research and treatment for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Devineni
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA
| | - Scarlett Tohme
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA
| | - Michael T Kody
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA
| | - R Adams Cowley
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA
| | - Brent T Harris
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA
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47
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Aguado T, Gutiérrez FJ, Aix E, Schneider RP, Giovinazzo G, Blasco MA, Flores I. Telomere Length Defines the Cardiomyocyte Differentiation Potency of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2016; 35:362-373. [PMID: 27612935 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated in vitro and in vivo to all cardiovascular lineages and are therefore a promising cell source for cardiac regenerative therapy. However, iPSC lines do not all differentiate into cardiomyocytes (CMs) with the same efficiency. Here, we show that telomerase-competent iPSCs with relatively long telomeres and high expression of the shelterin-complex protein TRF1 (iPSChighT ) differentiate sooner and more efficiently into CMs than those with relatively short telomeres and low TRF1 expression (iPSClowT ). Ascorbic acid, an enhancer of cardiomyocyte differentiation, further increases the cardiomyocyte yield from iPSChighT but does not rescue the cardiomyogenic potential of iPSClowT . Interestingly, although iPSCslowT differentiate very poorly to the mesoderm and endoderm lineages, they differentiate very efficiently to the ectoderm lineage, indicating that cell fate can be determined by in vitro selection of iPSCs with different telomere content. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting iPSCs with ample telomere reserves in order to generate high numbers of CMs in a fast, reliable, and efficient way. Stem Cells 2017;35:362-373.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Aguado
- Regeneration and Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Gutiérrez
- Pluripotent Cell Technology Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Aix
- Regeneration and Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralph P Schneider
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Pluripotent Cell Technology Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Flores
- Regeneration and Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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48
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Reeve RL, Yammine SZ, DeVeale B, van der Kooy D. Targeted activation of primitive neural stem cells in the mouse brain. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 43:1474-85. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Reeve
- Institute of Medical Science; University of Toronto; 160 College St. W. 1130 Toronto ON Canada
| | | | - Brian DeVeale
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - Derek van der Kooy
- Institute of Medical Science; University of Toronto; 160 College St. W. 1130 Toronto ON Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
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49
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Li M, Zou Y, Lu Q, Tang N, Heng A, Islam I, Tong HJ, Dawe GS, Cao T. Efficient derivation of dopaminergic neurons from SOX1⁻ floor plate cells under defined culture conditions. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:34. [PMID: 26956435 PMCID: PMC4782356 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0251-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons. Derivation of dopaminergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) could provide new therapeutic options for PD therapy. Dopaminergic neurons are derived from SOX− floor plate (FP) cells during embryonic development in many species and in human cell culture in vitro. Early treatment with sonic hedgehog (Shh) has been reported to efficiently convert hESCs into FP lineages. Methods In this study, we attempted to utilize a Shh-free approach in deriving SOX1− FP cells from hESCs in vitro. Neuroectoderm conversion from hESCs was achieved with dual inhibition of the BMP4 (LDN193189) and TGF-β signaling pathways (SB431542) for 24 h under defined culture conditions. Results Following a further 5 days of treatment with LDN193189 or LDN193189 + SB431542, SOX1− FP cells constituted 70–80 % of the entire cell population. Upon treatment with Shh and FGF8, the SOX1− FP cells were efficiently converted to functional Nurr1+ and TH+ dopaminergic cells (patterning), which constituted more than 98 % of the entire cell population. However, when the same growth factors were applied to SOX1+ cells, only less than 4 % of the cells became Nurr1+, indicating that patterning was effective only if SOX1 expression was down-regulated. After transplanting the Nurr1+ and TH+ cells into a hemiparkinsonian rat model, significant improvements were observed in amphetamine induced ipslateral rotations, apomorphine induced contra-lateral rotations and Rota rod motor tests over a duration of 8 weeks. Conclusions Our findings thus provide a convenient approach to FP development and functional dopaminergic neuron derivation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0251-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Li
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Yu Zou
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Qiqi Lu
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Ning Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute of the National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Alexis Heng
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Intekhab Islam
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Huei Jinn Tong
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Gavin S Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute of the National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore.,National University of Singapore Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Tong Cao
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore. .,Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute of the National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore. .,National University of Singapore Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), Kent Ridge, Singapore.
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50
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Führmann T, Tam R, Ballarin B, Coles B, Elliott Donaghue I, van der Kooy D, Nagy A, Tator C, Morshead C, Shoichet M. Injectable hydrogel promotes early survival of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived oligodendrocytes and attenuates longterm teratoma formation in a spinal cord injury model. Biomaterials 2016; 83:23-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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